Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Out of Ireland” by Marian O’Shea Wernicke, She Writes Press, On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours, 2032

“Out of Ireland” by Marian O’Shea Wernicke is a captivating and memorable Historical Fiction, and Coming of Age Novel. The timeline for this novel is the late 1860s in Bantry, Ireland. The author vividly describes the scenery and her dramatic characters. The characters are described as complex and complicated. Ireland is under British rule, and there is poverty. Sixteen-year-old Eileen O’Donovan is pursuaded by her mother and older brother to marry an older widower. Eileen doesn’t want to marry an older man and goes to the Priest in her Catholic Church. Michael, another brother, gets involved with the outlawed Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Eileen does marry the older man, but poverty in Ireland makes them think about emigrating to Ireland. At the same time, Michael is forced to leave Ireland for safety. I appreciate the author’s research on the history of Ireland and the immigrants that had to leave. Several times, I had to gasp at the various tragedies that occurred.

Eventually, Eileen and Michael connect in America, where things are not what they thought. Equality in America is not what Eileen dreamed of. The author discusses the strength and courage that women had to have at this time. I would highly recommend this memorable and heartfelt novel to others.